Tyler Perry has been hit with a $77m sexual assault lawsuit by a man claiming the US entertainment mogul used his Hollywood power to make sexual advances after he dangled a part in the 2016 comedy Boo! A Madea Halloween.
The lawsuit claims Perry subjected Mario Rodriguez to repeated unwanted sexual advances. That allegedly included sexual battery and assault at Perry’s Los Angeles home, according to the lawsuit, which claims film studio Lionsgate ignored the misconduct.
It is the second lawsuit in recent months to accuse the film-maker of sexual harassment. He was previously sued by another man accusing Perry of using his “considerable influence in the entertainment industry to create a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic”.
The 56-year-old Perry’s fortune is estimated at $1.4bn, stemming in part from a string of hits centering on the character of Mabel “Madea” Simmons, a tough, elderly, Black American matriarch.
In the new complaint, Rodriguez claims he was approached in 2014 by a trainer at an Equinox gym who said Perry wanted his phone number to discuss an acting role. Perry later encouraged the man to audition for the film, telling him: “I’m not a bad person to know and have in your corner.”
Rodriguez claims Perry later invited him to his home where Perry touched him inappropriately while they watched a movie. The lawsuit alleges incidents in 2016, 2018 and 2019, including one encounter in which Perry allegedly “put his hands on Mr Rodriguez’s legs and began rubbing his inner thigh right next to his penis”.
The lawsuit claims Rodriguez tried to leave for the bathroom, but Perry allegedly insisted: “Man, if you would just come, I would take care of you for the rest of your life and you wouldn’t have to worry about anything.”
The allegations against Perry have been denied by his attorney, Alex Spiro. Spiro also alluded to how Rodriguez and the plaintiff in the earlier lawsuit against Perry – Derek Dixon – share the same lawyer: Jonathan Delshad.
“Having recently failed in another matter against Mr Perry, the very same lawyer has now made yet another demand from more than a decade ago which will also be a failed money grab,” Spiro told the Hollywood Reporter.
The entertainment news outlet TheGrio reported that Delshad disputed Spiro’s characterization of Dixon’s claims, saying they remain active after being procedurally moved from California to Georgia.
Perry is estimated to be one of the world’s highest-paid entertainers from his Madea franchise and Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios.
In 2020, Perry offered Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex; and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, a home in Los Angeles when they left the UK. He later said he identified with the couple’s “emotional pain” and wanted to step in because “no one else would help them.”
The Associated Press contributed reporting
Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organizations. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html
